Louisiana.gov DCFS Child Welfare

Child Abuse/Neglect Background Checks

Louisiana maintains a State Repository and a State Central Registry (SCR). The State Repository is a repository of all reports of child abuse and/or neglect. The SCR is a listing of perpetrators of certain valid child abuse/neglect investigations, as determined by the Tiered Validity System. The Louisiana Administrative Code (LAC) and Louisiana's Children's Code govern what information is contained in the Repository and State Central Registry, as well as what information can be released by DCFS.

DCFS does not conduct child abuse/neglect clearances for individuals unless legally authorized to do so.

The process for requesting child abuse/neglect clearances depends on the purpose for requesting a background clearance.

Child Abuse/Neglect Clearances for Employment at an Early Learning Center or Registered Family Day Care Home

Child Abuse and Neglect Clearances for employment/volunteer purposes at an Early Learning Center or Registered Family Cay Care Home, licensed by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) are requested via LDOE at https://www.louisianabelieves.com/early-childhood/early-childhood-programs/criminal-background-checks.

Child Abuse/Neglect Clearances for Employment in a Public or Private School (excluding licensed Early Learning Centers located on school campuses)

In order to request a SCR clearance for this purpose, an administrator must first be approved through the Edlink credentialing process. LDOE’s guidance for this process can be found in one of the following documents: Public School Employee ; Non-Public School Employees

Once this occurs, an approved requester can utilize the DCFS CANS system to request individual background clearances. SCR clearances for this specific purpose are conducted free of charge.

An overview of this entire process can be found here: Act 409 SCR School employee handout

Adoption Purposes

Requests for DCFS child abuse/neglect clearances for the purpose of adoption are submitted to the Adoption Petition Worker in the respective region. Office locations can be found here: Office locations.

Agency Background Clearances Conducted through the DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect System

The Louisiana Child Abuse and Neglect Clearance System (CANS) is the mechanism to request the majority of other types abuse/neglect clearances. This system can be accessed at https://dcfscans.dcfs.la.gov/. Some clearances require a $25.00 fee.

The following types of clearances must be submitted through the CANS system:
Licensed Out of State Child Care Facilities employees/volunteers	$25.00 Fee
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Licensed Facilities employees/volunteers	$25.00 Fee
Out of State Licensed Residential Facilities that house foster children or meet the federal definition of a Child Care Institution employees/volunteers	$25.00 Fee
Louisiana Department of Health Licensed Therapeutic Group Homes	$25.00 Fee
In State School Administrators, Teachers, or Other School Employees	No Fee
Out of State Child Protective Agencies only for investigation purposes (not home studies)	No Fee
Out of State Agencies conducting home studies for foster children or as part of an open child welfare case.	No Fee
In State Licensed Office of Juvenile Justice Detention Center employees	$25.00 Fee
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ Licensed Facilities – owners, operators, or governance participant	$25.00 Fee

Other Requests

Other requests, not mentioned above, are submitted to the State Office Child Protective Services’ Program via email at DCFS.ChildAbuseNeglectClearances@la.gov.

Additional Information

Louisiana strives to complete all clearances within 10 business days. However, the appeals process of investigative findings will likely delay responses from DCFS.

If Louisiana requests additional information to complete an agency clearance, all information must be submitted timely. Failure to submit requested information within 30 calendar days will result in the need to submit a new request.

A substantiated finding has the potential to impact your employability dependent upon the employer’s requirements, certain volunteer opportunities, or becoming a foster or adoptive parent. If you would like to determine if you have administrative appeal rights to any substantiated findings, please visit any Louisiana DCFS Child Welfare office to request a walk-in clearance request. You will need to have either a valid State issued Driver’s License or Identification Card, complete an application, and a notification letter will be mailed to you. A list of the DCFS Child Welfare offices may be located here.

Additional information regarding agency background clearances can be obtained:

For general questions regarding the clearance process, you can email ChildAbuseNeglectClearances@la.gov, or call (225) 219-3461.
If you are a School Administrator and experience difficulty obtaining approval to use the CANS system through the Edlink process, email: systemsupport@la.gov.
For User Support regarding the CANS System, email DCFS-ServiceManagementTeam@la.gov